WetSuit modifications anybody?

[mudpuppy]

I got my FarmerJohn yesterday...front zipper, leg zippers, I figure it will work nicely with some Modifications...I'll be wading in it...not diving

Anybody ever sew on pockets or loops or caribiners or stuff like that so a guy can take along a drink and a small drybox for keys, smokes, and a phone? or do you just wear a vest over the top for all that stuff? up to now I put my smokes and keys on top of my head under a hat, and leave my phone in the car unless I'm shallow hunting and can carry it in a chest pocket... I can imagine some strategically placed loops, caribiners, or pouches that would hold a water bottle or two on your back...maybe a loop or pouch or two on the front? Anybody got any advice or pictures of one you've modified for what we do?

I thought about using the neoprene off my old waders to create these pockets and pouches, but I dont want to get stupid about it...! There has got to be the perfect detecting layout for a wetsuit used as a wader...? I know a lot of you guys have been at this for a long time...so I'm asking.. what would the perfect layout look like?
Mud...

 

[bootyhoundpa]

Im far from an expert on the subject mud, but I just wear a pair of those multi pocketed shorts over my wetsuit.. clip my keys on belt loop, one pocket for keepers, other pockets for trash.. my chest waders have a large pocket on the front and while its better than no pocket it is far from ideal... I bought my wading shorts at a goodwill store, they only cost a few bucks each , they are in great shape and each have 6 pockets..

 

[togamac]

Bootyhoundpa, I like the way you think. The Goodwill shorts over the wetsuit is good ol' American ingenuity! Almost all of my "sporting" clothes have come from thrift stores. Great advice to Mud. Mud, are you listening?

 

[diver1382]

you can buy pockets from www.leisurepro.com and use aqua seal to install them
you dont want to put needle holes in the suit and aqua seal is what a lot of suit manufacturers use
hope this helps

 

[Crusty]

I also just wear swim shorts over my shorty wet suit......works great.

Dave

 

[mudpuppy]

Thats some good info diver1382.. I wish these wetsuits came with a "relief flap" on the front and back...good ideas, booty,tog, and crusty...I probably will do that for a while until I figure exactly how I want to modify this thing..July,Sept,Oct are the big months up here to really stay out and work it..for gold anyway.
Mud

 

[fongu]

Mud, did you get just the wetsuit or include a step in top? Water gets pretty cold in your area, doesn't it? I bought a plastic phone box at the camping aisle at Wal-mart I put my cell phone in and just take the remote off the keys and put the ignition/trunk key in my pants pocket and use my Garrett finds pouch for everything else. I clip the phone box to my limbsaver sling and it floats. You could get another box for your smokes & lighter. Put something to drink in your finds pouch or take it along with a sifter that floats.
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[mudpuppy]

Just the suit...I wear that long sleeve underarmour top underneath it....the water is warming up pretty fast amazingly, but it can also cool right down again fast depending upon the wind... I need to get a few of those little dry boxes, thanks!
Mud

 

[fongu]

May be a small plastic tackle box clipped to your finds pouch. I hook my sifter to my finds pouch with a carabiner clip and about 5-6 feet of strong green twine. Those phone boxes are cheap at wal-mart of any sporting goods store. You probably can get better stuff at the dive website where you bought your wetsuit, Mud.

 

[GeorgeinSC]

Mud I use a belt to hang everything on. Wagner tool lasso for the scoop. Equinox 7X10 mesh bag for the finds. (Have never found a small enough piece of gold for it to go thru the mesh.) Water bottle with carabiner. I don't smoke so that is not a problem. Gave that up back in 1987 when breathing became more important than smoking. I only carry a key to the vehicle with me when working in the water. Different strokes for different folks.